Adjournments

An adjournment
may only be granted by the judge presiding at the time of
the hearing. You cannot call the court clerk for this purpose
because the clerk is not permitted to grant adjournments.
To get an adjournment, you should appear at the hearing
at the appointed time. You will be given an opportunity
to explain to the judge your reason for requesting an adjournment.

Sending
Someone to Request the Adjournment

If it is an emergency and you cannot appear
yourself to request the adjournment, but wish to send someone
on your behalf, you must
give that person written authorization to make the request
for you. That person must
bring the written authorization to the court.

The written authorizing statement which allows
someone to request an adjournment on your behalf must
contain the following items:
1. The index number of your case.
2. Your name and your address.
3. A signed statement that you are allowing the person to
request an adjournment for you.
4. The name of the person you are sending.
5. The reason you are not appearing yourself to make the
request.

The person who comes to court for you must
bring this statement and all other papers that you received,
and should be able to tell the clerk the reason for the
request.

The Judge may deny the request for adjournment.
If the request is denied, you will be marked in default,
which may be serious. You can learn more about this and
other civil court procedures by reading our Legal
and Procedural Information sections.

Writing
a Letter to Request an Adjournment

In an extreme emergency, where neither you
nor anyone else can appear on your behalf, you may write
a letter to the court. You must explain your reason for
making the request and be sure to include the case number
and year of your case, and the scheduled date of the hearing
you will not be able to attend.

Address the letter to the appropriate civil
court clerk's office. Send a copy of this letter to the
other party to the action. If the judge decides to grant
your adjournment, you will be notified.

If the request is denied, you will be marked
in default, which
may be very serious. You can learn more about this and other
civil court procedures by reading our Legal
and Procedural Information sections.